Comment: “A normalization error has occurred” without further explanation or pointer to a page with a solution for the problem is another example of an Error Message from Hell.

The FeedValidator site says the Atom.xml file is OK, as shown here:

Atom.xml opens as expected in IE 8 Beta 2 and Firefox 3, as well as Visual Studio 2008’s XML Editor. Firefox has no problem with opening pages to the two pages with the …/#oakleaf anchor and positioning at the Web Slice’s location.

So the question is: Where did I go wrong?

Update 8/31/2008: The problem appears to be related to IE 8 Beta 2’s reaction to the URL’s /# separator for positioning to a <div id=”oakleaf”> or <a name=”oakleaf”> anchor as in http://oakleafblog.blogspot.com/#oakleaf. The separator should not include /, but IE 8 inserts the / if #name is typed directly after the base URL. This URL works from the address text box in IE 8 Beta 2 and Firefox 3, but not from the OakLeaf LINQ and Entit… Web Slice dropdown in the favorites toolbar.

The dual Web role application has been running in Microsoft's South Central US (San Antonio) data center since September 2009. I believe it is the oldest continuously running Windows Azure application.

About Me

I'm a Windows Azure Insider, a retired Windows Azure MVP, the principal developer for OakLeaf Systems and the author of 30+ books on Microsoft software. The books have more than 1.25 million English copies in print and have been translated into 20+ languages.

Full disclosure: I make part of my livelihood by writing about Microsoft products in books and for magazines. I regularly receive free evaluation software from Microsoft and press credentials for Microsoft Tech•Ed and PDC. I'm also a member of the Microsoft Partner Network.